By Phil Corso
Campaign donations and endorsements have poured in for two Democratic candidates in the primary race for the seat of state Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows), with political support mounting on both sides.
While Community Board 11 Chairman Jerry Iannece has raised roughly $125,000 as of his last filing on Aug. 9 with about $102,000 total after expenses, his opponent in the Sept. 13 Democratic primary, Nily Rozic, received a financial contribution from Lancman’s election committee to add to her total of $74,000, with roughly $63,000 after expenditures.
Lancman, who vacated his 25th District seat to run and ultimately lose his bid for the 6th Congressional District, said he would not seek re-election and would not officially endorse a candidate in the race.
Notable donations to Iannece’s campaign came from northeast Queens leaders, including $700 from the Friends of Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing), $500 from the Friends of Councilman Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens), $100 from Assemblyman Ed Braunstein (D-Bayside) and a $3,500 contribution from the re-election campaign of U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights). Former state Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza also contributed $200 to Iannece’s campaign.
Of Iannece’s total fund-raising numbers, nearly $7,500 came under his own name and $7,000 from family contributions, according to campaign finance records. He also gave himself a personal loan of $50,000 on Aug. 8, according to finance records.
Elected officials contributing to Rozic’s campaign included Assemblywoman Michelle E. Schimel (D-Great Neck) with $250, Lancman’s election committee with $1,500 and $2,500 from Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh (D-Manhattan), for whom Rozic formerly served as chief of staff. Rozic’s total numbers also included a $5,180 personal donation and $16,980 in family contributions, records showed.
The newly drawn Assembly district lines run from Flushing to Douglaston and also include most of Bayside Hills.
Iannece’s campaign has received endorsements from the Queens Democratic Party as well as city Comptroller John Liu, the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, former state Sen. George Onorato, and U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria). State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced the candidate’s latest endorsement last week.
“Comptroller DiNapoli has been a great steward of New York’s finances and I am humbled and honored to have his support,” Iannece said. “His backing illustrates the broad coalition of support that we have built here in the 25th District.”
Rozic’s campaign announced several political endorsements in recent weeks, including support from EMILY’s List, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ Joint Council 16, the Working Families Party, the New York League of Conservation Voters and former Democratic City Council nominee Kevin Kim.
“I’m honored to receive the endorsement of Kevin Kim, a true community leader,” said Rozic. “As an assemblywoman, I will make sure the voices of all New Yorkers are heard. I hope to work closely with Kevin to create a better future for our state.”
Reach reporter Phil Corso by e-mail at pcorso@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
